‘Keen green’ pupils thanked for food recycling campaign

Youngsters at St Margaret’s CE Primary School in Prestwich have been praised for their superb efforts in food recycling.

The school was the first to take up Bury Council’s call to ‘Recycle the food you can’t eat’, and was presented with a framed certificate at a special assembly this week.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: “St Margaret's have been superb in really getting behind the food recycling campaign at the school, in the kitchen and also taking the message home and into the community. They have a very hard working and enthusiastic Green Team, pupils and staff who are committed to spreading the recycling message and educating future generations. Recycling is very much a part of daily life at this school and we wanted to thank and reward everyone for their excellent efforts.”

As part of the initiative, the council provided the school with kitchen caddies, liners and leaflets which the pupils could take home to their families, and also the ability to upsize their brown bin or request a brown bin. The school was awarded its second Eco-Schools Green Flag at the end of last year.

The certificate was presented by Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, and Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, executive director of communities and wellbeing.

St Margaret’s responded by presenting them with chocolate Easter eggs in mugs which change colour when filled with hot water to reveal messages about recycling!

One of the pupil’s parents, Mrs Ridler, said: “My daughter loves being a member of the Green Team at school and has encouraged our family to recycle and compost all our food waste.”

Gail Prosser, the school’s chair of governors, said: “I am so proud of the children at St Margaret's who show such enthusiasm for recycling their food waste at school. I have seen them performing their duties when I have visited school and I know that they take this message home to encourage their families to support the campaign.”

And head teacher Mrs Kath Perry added: “It was lovely to welcome Mike Connolly and Pat Jones-Greenhalgh to our assembly, and we were delighted to receive this certificate in recognition of the recycling work that we do.”

Bury Council provides everything required to recycle food waste free of charge. To request a kitchen caddy and compostable liners, or to request or upsize a brown recycling bin, visit www.bury.gov.uk/requestabin or phone 0161 253 5353. Kitchen caddies and liners can also be collected from libraries.

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 March 2016.

Picture: Pupils at St Margaret’s CE Primary School in Prestwich are presented with a ‘thank you’ certificate for recycling food waste, from Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, and Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, executive director of communities and wellbeing.